Scale Factor

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. It is used to determine how much larger or smaller a figure is compared to another figure.

Front

If a shape is enlarged by a scale factor of 2, what happens to its dimensions?

Back

Each dimension of the shape is multiplied by 2, making the shape twice as large.

Front

What does it mean if the scale factor is less than 1?

Back

If the scale factor is less than 1, the new figure will be a reduction of the original figure.

Front

What does it mean for two shapes to be similar?

Back

Two shapes are similar if they have the same shape but not necessarily the same size, often indicated by having the same scale factor.

Front

How do you find the scale factor between two similar shapes?

Back

To find the scale factor, divide the length of a side of the larger shape by the corresponding side of the smaller shape.

Front

If the scale factor from a small shape to a big shape is 3, what does that mean?

Back

It means that each dimension of the small shape is multiplied by 3 to get the dimensions of the big shape.

Front

What is the scale factor if a rectangle's length increases from 4 cm to 12 cm?

Back

The scale factor is 3, since 12 cm ÷ 4 cm = 3.

Front

If two rectangles are similar and one has a width of 5 cm and the other has a width of 15 cm, what is the scale factor?

Back

The scale factor is 3, since 15 cm ÷ 5 cm = 3.

Front

What happens to the area of a shape if the scale factor is 2?

Back

The area of the shape increases by a factor of 2², or 4, because area is a two-dimensional measurement.

Front

If a triangle has a scale factor of 1/2, how does its area change?

Back

The area of the triangle decreases by a factor of (1/2)², or 1/4, of the original area.